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(Moraga, CA) - USF baseball scored four runs in the second inning and it was all sophomore left-hander Aaron Poreda (6-4) would need in a 5-3 West Coast Conference victory at Saint Mary's Saturday at Louis Guisto Field. The Dons (31-19, 11-6 WCC) win their fifth league series of the season, third straight overall and fifth in a row against the Gaels (24-20, 9-8 WCC).

Senior outfielder Stefan Gartrell enjoyed another fine day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI double. The San Francisco native collected his 54th RBI of the season eighth place on the Dons single-season chart and now has 123 during his career on the Hilltop, good for a share of fourth place on the all-time list with former teammate Armand Gaerlan (2001-04). Former Dons standout Jason Howard (1998-03) is next on the list in third place with 124. Sophomore outfielder Luke Sommer enjoyed another big day for the Dons, going 2-for-4, while junior outfielder Lucas DeLong added a two-run single in he second.

Poreda turned in another strong outing, allowing three runs off six hits and struck out five in 7.0 innings using only 85 pitches and retired the side with six in the fifth, seven in the sixth. The only damage done to the Moraga native came from senior outfielder Preston Young who launched a pair of solo home runs. Junior left-hander Cole Stipovich pitched a scoreless eighth, tallying a strikeout.

Senior right-hander Patrick McGuigan collected his second straight save and third of the season, but had to earn it in the ninth. Junior infielder Delaney Gallagher led off with a double, followed by a walk and a single to load the bases with one out. McGuigan promptly recorded back-to-back strikeouts and preserve the win for the Dons with the 16th save of his career.

After winning in come from behind fashion in the opening game of the series, USF jumped on the board early off right-hander Corey Madden (6-2). Gartrell led off with a walk, advanced to second on a single from Sommer and after a sacrifice from junior catcher Daniel Morales the Dons had runners at second and third and both scored on a two-run single by DeLong. Freshman infielder George Lujan reached on an error, advancing DeLong to third. Sophomore infielder Joey Railey and senior shortstop Andrew Smith recorded back-to-back RBI singles to give the Dons a 4-0 lead.

San Francisco added a run in the fifth as Railey reached on an error to open the inning, advanced to second on a Smith sacrifice and scored on Gartrell's RBI double.

USF takes on its ancient Bay Area and WCC rivals in the series finale Sunday. First pitch against the Gaels is set for 1:00 PM.